Mar 20, 2006 5:01 pm US/Eastern
Slot Machine Supporters Want House Vote
by Jon Keller
BOSTON (CBS4) ―
Supporters looking to make slot machines legal are rolling the dice at the State House, where they held a large rally Monday.
A bill that would bring slots to the state's racetracks passed overwhelmingly in the state Senate six months ago, but it has stalled in the House. The protestors want House Speaker Sal DiMasi to schedule a vote soon.
It is desperation time for the state's race tracks. Some owners say they may have to shut down and lay off their workers if they can't get permission to install slot machines.
Supporters say slots could generate $350 million annually. One proposal would allow 8,000 slot machines total at the state's four race tracks.
While the workers were up on Beacon Hill again Monday to make their voices heard, the odds against them seem longer than ever.
Supporters of slots at the tracks were making plenty of noise at the State House, but are they making any headway?
A slots bill passed the Senate nearly six months ago, but a long-promised vote in the House has yet to happen.
Wonderland dog track employee Brian Mucci says there's a lot at stake for him, and other race track workers. "I don't know where I'm gonna go or what I'm gonna do. I've got 20 years down there. I got my medical down there."
But the mostly blue-collar racetrack workforce is facing strong opposition from white-collar legislators who claim the jobs issue and promises of new revenue are a smokescreen for a move to open the state up to casino-style gambling, causing social damage and cutting into lottery proceeds that local governments need.
Representative Michael Festa of Melrose calls the claims a "Trojan horse."
"The industry itself is frankly going down in terms of its interest to the average person. I don't see why the state of Massachusetts should be propping up the owners of four race tracks," Festa said.
The track workers drew a crowd and at least some political support Monday, including several mayors and gubernatorial hopeful Christy Mihos.
"It may be a zero sum game but at least the money stays in the Commonwealth and no one's going down to Lincoln, Rhode Island or Connecticut," said Mihos.
A spokeswoman for DiMasi says a vote has not been scheduled yet.
DiMasi has previously said that before the House votes on the slot machine bill it must resolve an ongoing dispute between the four tracks over simulcasting rights, which allows the tracks to broadcast races from other locations.
A law temporarily extending those simulcasting rights expires at the end of next week.
So for you slot enthusiasts, what are the chances you'll be able to pop over to one of the local tracks instead of taking that long bus ride to Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun?
Not very good. Governor Romney is likely to veto any slots bill, and right now at least, the votes to override don't seem to be there.
(© 2006 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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